Objective To estimate the prevalence of infertility using a current duration approach for comparison with a traditional constructed measure. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting National Survey of Family Growth, United States, 2002. Participants A nationally-representative sample of females aged 15–44 years. Interventions None Main Outcome Measure(s) Infertility prevalence estimated by two approaches: 1) a constructed measure derived from questions on sexual activity, contraception, relationship status, and pregnancy, and 2) a measure based on estimated time-to-pregnancy (TTP) derived from the respondents’ current duration of pregnancy attempt (i.e., current duration approach). Associations with self-reported descriptive characteristics using weighted logistic regression or parametric survival models for each respective approach. Results Infertility prevalence was approximately twofold higher using the current duration approach (15.5%; 95% CI: 8.6, 27.5) versus the constructed measure (7.0%; 95% CI: 6.2, 7.8). Both methods identified similar patterns of increasing age, lower education, nulliparity, and history of gynecologic disorders as being associated with measures of impaired fecundity, while opposing patterns were seen for racial/ethnic identification and poverty status. Conclusions Infertility prevalence based on a current duration approach was consistent with other U.S. prospective cohort studies with preconception enrollment. These findings underscore the importance of definition and methodologic approach for estimating the prevalence of infertility.

OBJECTIVES. National data are not routinely available regarding the incidence of and associated risk factors for nonfatal injuries in children and youth. The Child Health Supplement to the 1988 National Health Interview Survey provided an opportunity to determine accurate national estimates of childhood injury morbidity by demographic factors, location, external cause, nature of injury, and other factors. METHODS. The closest adult for 17,110 sampled children was asked whether the child had had an injury, accident, or poisoning during the preceding 12 months and about the cause, location, and consequences of the event. An analysis for potential underreporting from 12 months of recall provided adjustments of annual rates to those for a 1-month recall period. RESULTS. On the basis of 2772 reported injuries, the national estimated annual rate for children 0 to 17 years of age was 27 per 100 children after adjustment to 1-month recall. Boys experienced significantly higher rates than girls (risk ratio [RR] = 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37, 1.68), and adolescents experienced the highest overall rate (38 per 100 children) and proportion of serious injuries. CONCLUSIONS. Approximately one fourth of US children experience a medically attended injury each year, but the risks vary considerably depending on the characteristics of subgroups and the injury cause.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia carry a high risk for severe maternal morbidity. Compared to Caucasians, African Americans have higher incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and suffer from more severe complications.

Childbearing at an early age was strongly associated with infant homicide, particularly if the mother had given birth previously. Our findings may have implications for prevention.